Long Ding is one of eastern China's most exquisite and distinctive teas. It is a specialty tea from western Zhejiang Province, and it should not be confused with Longjing ( Dragonwell ) from eastern Zhejiang Province.

Long Ding is everything that we think a Chinese green tea should be - precise in appearance and outstanding in the cup. It is comprised of very smooth, sword-shaped buds and in the cup the tea liquor is refreshing, sweet and aromatic. It has a crisp, mineraly taste underscored with a bit of pine resin / bamboo that gives it an intriquing earthy taste.

This year's batch is less mineraly that last year's tea - the stoney astringency is toned down and the overall taste and experience in the cup is softer and more well balanced. We think this year's tea will appeal to more tea enthusiasts as some seasonal Long Dings from the past were a wrestling match in a teacup.

Because of their size and shape, Long Ding buds will stand up straight in the water as they steep - this is best observed when steeping the tea in a glass cup or mug.

Our visit to the Long Ding tea factory on our first tea-sourcing trip to China was such a memorable experience.This region has many bamboo forests and a lush forest environment that is perfect for nurturing tea bushes to produce fine green tea.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this tea once again for our tea enthusiast customers in 2015.

NOTE: Pre-Qing Ming teas are the first teas plucked each new spring season. Depending on the location and altitude in each tea producing region, leaf plucking can begin as early as the middle week of March and continue until April 5th.

Pre-Qing Ming teas command the highest prices because the demand for these teas outpaces the supply each year. This is especially true for the Famous Teas such as Long Ding and Longjing, and the fever for these teas hits in China as well as in the West.

Pure, origin-specific, seasonal leaf teas from China, Japan, India, Korea, Nepal, Taiwan. Sourced by us at tea farms and tea factories that we visit and air shipped to us for maximum freshness.

"Tea Trekker is one of the few companies that we can really trust! We know from experience that any tea we purchase from you will be the highest quality. Your prices are really a bargain for such great tea." - Karen